PHOENIX (AP) -- The first two lawsuits in what could be a flurry of legal actions stemming from a deadly sweat lodge ceremony led by author and motivational speaker James Arthur Ray were filed Friday in Arizona.
One wrongful death suit came from the family of one of the three people who died after the Oct. 8 ceremony. A southern Arizona woman who was badly hurt also filed suit.
Ray is accused of negligence, fraud and other actions along with the owners of the Angel Valley Retreat Center, where his event was held, and other defendants.
A call seeking comment from Ray's attorney Brad Brian wasn't immediately returned.
Amayra Hamilton, who owns Angel Valley with her husband, said there was nothing wrong with the lodge itself. and her center had no part in how Ray ran the ceremony.
The three deaths and hospitalization of 18 other participants came at the end of a five-day Ray-led "Spiritual Warrior" program.
"This was a bizarre tragedy that could have easily been prevented if (Ray) and his staff had used just an ounce of common sense," said attorney Ted Schmidt, who represents survivor Sidney Spencer.
40-year-old Milwaukee native James Shore was one of the victims killed in the incident.
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